Preliminary Examination Policy, Department of
  Educational Studies, College of Education

The purpose of the preliminary examination, integrating both written and oral components, is to assess the student's readiness to proceed with the independent research and writing that will lead to the completion of a doctoral dissertation. The successful completion of the preliminary exam is based upon a composite evaluation of both written and oral components.

Written Portion(s) of the Preliminary Examination:

1.   Purpose.  It is the responsibility of the examining committee to determine whether or not the student is qualified and ready to undertake or continue research and proceed toward the Ph.D. degree.*  The purpose of the examination is to provide effective written evidence of a prospective candidate's:

                        a.  research skills

                        b.  knowledge of the fields of study

            To become eligible to take the examination, the student must have demonstrated written English proficiency, filed a plan of study, satisfactorily completed most of the formal study, and satisfied any foreign language requirements.

2.   Examining Committee.  The preliminary examining committee must consist of a minimum of four (4) members of the graduate faculty who need not be faculty members with whom the student has taken course work - The Chair (or at least one Co-Chair) of the examining committee must be a faculty member in the Department of Educational Studies and from the student's program/section area. Minimally two faculty members are from the area of concentration and one from an outside program area within the College of Education or from a program area outside the College of Education.

3.    Administration of Examination(s).  The written as well as the oral preliminary examination will be conducted by the examining committee.

4.    Scheduling.  Planning the preliminary examination will be coordinated by the major professor and may include a meeting with the examining committee and student. The examination should be scheduled as soon as possible (after the requirements outlined above are completed) and must be finished at least two sessions before the expected date of the doctoral final examination.

5.    Format, Content and Scope.  The format, content and scope of the written portion(s) of the preliminary examination(s) are to be determined by the examining committee. The examining committee is encouraged to establish ground rules for the written examination(s) in consultation with the student. All preliminary examinations should address the following areas: research competency; knowledge of the student's field of study. The first three (3) chapters of a student's dissertation cannot be the sole basis of his or her preliminary examination.

Oral Portion of the Preliminary Examination:

1.   Purpose.  The purpose of the oral portion of the preliminary examination is to explore the student's depth of understanding of the written portion(s) of the preliminary examination content and knowledge of the field. The oral exam focuses on the student's knowledge skills and it allows the examining committee as a whole to witness the prospective candidate's ability to respond knowledgeably and professionally to questions and issues related to the candidate's field(s) of study.

2.    Administration of Examination(s). The oral preliminary examination will be conducted by the examining committee. (NOTE: the Graduate Council has recommended that oral examinations not last more than two hours. If additional time is needed, the examination may be continued at a later date.)

3.     Scheduling.  The oral examination is scheduled after the completion of the written examination(s) and should include all committee members but must include a majority. Those not present must provide written feedback to be discussed at the oral examination. The oral examination will be scheduled by the major professor, who must submit A Request for Appointment of Examining Committee Form (G.S. Form 8) to the College of Education Graduate Office at least three weeks in advance of the examination date.

4.       Format, Content and Scope.  The examining committee decides on the format of the examination and the distribution of materials. The major professor is responsible for distributing such written materials to all committee members at least 2 weeks before the oral examination is held. The dissertation proposal will not be the sole focus of the preliminary oral examination. However, if time remains, the dissertation proposal may be discussed.

5.   Passing the Preliminary Examination.  To pass the preliminary examination, a minimum of 3 members of the examining committee must agree that the prospective candidate has completed the examination successfully. Those not present must provide written feedback to be discussed at the oral examination. If the candidate fails the preliminary examination, the examining committee will communicate to the student the reasons for not passing. If the report is unfavorable, the examining committee may recommend that the student be permitted to request a second examination by submitting a new request (G.S. Form 8). Committee members may also suggest ways that the student may
prepare for a second attempt at a later date. There must be at least one semester between the two examinations. Should the preliminary examination be failed twice, the student may not be given a third examination, except upon the recommendation of the examining committee and with special approval of the Graduate Council.

6.   Following the Oral Examination.  The major professor will report the results of the written and oral portions of the preliminary examination by completing the Report of Preliminary Examination (G.S. Form 10) immediately following the examination. The form may not be submitted until the written examination(s) and the oral examination have been completed.

Other:

1.   Individual program areas may have additional requirements.

2.   Appeals Concerning Academic Standards.  Graduate students who wish to appeal decisions concerning matters of academic standards may seek redress according to procedures specified in Part 5, Section III-C of University Regulations and to other procedures detailed below that have been established in accordance with the authority thereby delegated to the Graduate Council (Part 5, Section III-E-2-e, of University Regulations). (See Educational Studies Advising Handbook which is available from professors, the Department Office, or the College of Education Graduate Office. )

*Italicized material refers to wording taken directly from the 1992 Purdue University Graduate School Policies and Procedured Manual for Administering Graduate Student Programs.